YORKS breeder, Robert Lunness, and his famous Simmental cow, Brinkton Melody 3rd, claimed centre stage at the new-look Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate.

The disappointment of Melody surrendering her unbeaten-in-class record at both the Royal Highland and Royal shows earlier this summer was swept aside when she stepped forward as the comfortable winner of the coveted interbreed beef championship within minutes of notching up her fourth consecutive breed championship.

Minutes later she was the undoubted star at the breed societys 25th anniversary celebrations, making it very much a champagne occasion.

Melody is being retired from the show circuit after next weeks Royal Welsh Show, but Mr Lunness, from Bankside Farm, East Cowick, Goole, has a handful of embryo daughters coming to take up the challenge next season. The Melody family have won nine Yorkshire show breed titles in the past 10 years.